Danny Mills is ready to start some dressing-room ranting to inject some passion into Derby County's choirboys - in the vain hope of inspiring the biggest miracle seen in Premier League football.

The 30-year-old England defender has joined Derby on loan until the end of the season from Manchester City - after failing to secure a permanent move to Charlton Athletic.

And Mills jumped at the chance to link up with Paul Jewell, even if bookmakers have stopped taking bets on the Rams, eight points adrift of safety, to make an instant return to the Championship. "I take it as read he wants me to be vocal around the place. I know that he needs characters and that is something that I like to bring in," said Mills.

"I won't win any popularity stakes with other clubs' fans, but I don't care about that. I want to stay here permanently and win over Derby fans."

Jewell said: "Alan Pardew has been on the phone saying they miss Danny in the dressingroom already."